Herpes Virus Causes Cold Sores, Fever Blisters Symptoms for Treatment Remedies of Relief

Cold sores or fever blisters, whichever, is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. They are not a serious overall health concern.

Cold sores are small and painful blisters, or lesions, on the skin of your:

  • lips
  • gums
  • mouth
  • lip area

The cold sore lesions of herpes labialis usually last for 7 to 10 days, then begin to resolve. The virus may become latent, residing in the nerve cells, with recurrence at or near the original site.

Recurrence is usually milder and may be triggered by:

Your warning of a cold sore outbreak, usually occurring about 2 days before the lesion appears, are symptoms of:

  • itching
  • burning
  • tingling sensation
  • increased sensitivity

If your cold sore is left untreated, it generally clears up in a couple of weeks.

Antiviral remedy medication treatments, given by mouth, may shorten the course and provide relief of your pain. An antiviral medicine works best if you take them before you can see the fever blisters.

Also, applying ice or warmth to your infected fever blister area is a quick relief remedy for pain. Over the counter topical treatments are available offering a remedy by way of shortening duration of your cold sore outbreak and relief in the severity of your pain.

Most importantly, herpes viruses are contagious. You can be infected with this virus by direct or indirect contact, for example from:

  • razor
  • towel
  • dish
  • other shared article
  • oral-to-genital contact

For this reason, people with active herpes lesions on or around the mouths or on the genitals should avoid oral sex.

Avoid direct contact with cold sores or other herpes lesions. Minimize the risk of indirect spread by thoroughly washing items in hot (preferably boiling) water before re-use.

Do not share items with an infected person, especially when herpes lesions are active. Avoid precipitating causes (especially sun exposure) if prone to oral herpes.

Avoid performing oral sex when you have active herpes lesions on or near your mouth and avoid passive oral sex with someone who has active oral or genital herpes lesions. Condoms can help reduce, but do not entirely eliminate, the risk of transmission via oral or genital sex with an infected person.

Unfortunately, both oral and genital herpes viruses can sometimes be transmitted even when the person does not have active lesions.

Don’t freak out. Herpes labialis virus infection is extremely common. Sores caused by this herpes virus often come back again and again without a permanent cure.

If you are infected, consider your cold sores or fever blisters one of life’s little health inconveniences.

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